Concerns have been raised about the Himalayan glaciers’ accelerated melting as a result of climate change in a recent report by the International Centre for Integrated Mountain Development (ICIMOD).
Nearly two billion people depend on these glaciers for their water, which is disappearing quickly. In comparison to the prior decade, the rate of melting increased by 65% between 2011 and 2020.
The Hindu Kush Himalaya (HKH) glaciers, which provide water to roughly 240 million people in mountainous areas and an additional 1.65 billion people in valleys below, are the subject of the report. In addition to Pakistan, it also covers Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Bhutan, China, India, Myanmar, and Bhutan. According to the report, up to 80% of the glaciers may be gone by the end of the century if greenhouse gas emissions are not reduced.
Ten major river systems, including the Ganges, Indus, Yellow, Mekong, and Irrawaddy, are influenced by these glaciers, providing billions of people with resources like food, energy, clean air, and income.
The two billion people in Asia who depend on this frozen zone’s water were mentioned in depth by ICIMOD’s deputy chief, Izabella Koziell.
The report projects a sizable loss of glaciers by 2100, even if global warming stays within the parameters set by the Paris climate agreement. Philippus Wester, the lead author, urged swift action to slow down climate change while highlighting the significant effects that small changes can have.
The report also highlights how improvements in technology and the availability of high-resolution satellite imagery have made predictions more accurate. It emphasizes even more how there is a connection between global warming and extreme weather phenomena like heatwaves, droughts, and stronger storms brought on by rising sea levels.
Vulnerable populations and developing nations bear a disproportionate share of the burden for the emissions caused by fossil fuels. Citing the lack of support available to these communities, Amina Maharjan from ICIMOD emphasized the need for proactive efforts to anticipate and address future changes.
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